Olympic Sports List: All Summer and Winter Events Explained

Olympic Sports List: All Summer and Winter Events Explained

By Rachel Williams ·

Summer Olympic Sports

The Summer Olympics features 32 sports (Paris 2024) with 329 medal events. For LA 2028, 5 new sports are added: cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash, and baseball/softball (returning).

Core Sports

Athletics, Swimming, Gymnastics, Cycling, Rowing, Canoe/Kayak, Sailing, Equestrian, Fencing, Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Shooting, Archery, Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis, Golf, Rugby Sevens, Handball, Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Triathlon, Modern Pentathlon, Sport Climbing, Skateboarding, Surfing, and Breaking (2024 only).

Winter Olympic Sports

7 sports with 15 disciplines and 109 medal events: Biathlon, Bobsleigh (including skeleton), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating (figure skating, speed skating, short track), Skiing (alpine, cross-country, freestyle, Nordic combined, ski jumping, snowboard).

How Sports Are Added or Removed

The IOC evaluates based on: universality, popularity, youth appeal, gender equality, and hosting cost. Host cities can propose additional sports.

LA 2028 Additions

Cricket (T20 format — first since 1900), Flag Football (5v5), Lacrosse (6v6), Squash (singles), Baseball/Softball (returning). Breaking is removed.

Sports That Were Removed

Karate (only in Tokyo 2020), Tug of War (1900-1920), Polo (last 1936), Cricket (only 1900, returning 2028).

Paralympic Sports

22 summer sports and 6 winter sports, including unique events like Boccia, Goalball, and Wheelchair Rugby.

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